Nixon withdraws remarks after outburst, will not face sanctions from Speaker

Alberta government house leader Jason Nixon will not be sanctioned for comments he made during an angry exchange that included him swearing at Speaker Nathan Cooper in the legislative assembly.

Cooper gave his decision Monday after Nixon withdrew the offending comments in a letter read aloud by deputy government house leader Joseph Schow.

About a month ago, Nixon argued in the house with Independent legislature member Todd Loewen, and at one point directed an expletive at the Speaker.

Loewen, in turn, said he felt Nixon was trying to intimidate him. Last week, Loewen asked the Speaker to find Nixon in contempt of the legislature.

On Monday, Schow told the legislature that “while no offence was intended with the remarks, (Loewen) has indicated that he felt offended during the exchange. As such, on behalf of the government house leader, I happily withdraw any remarks that occurred — that may have caused the offence.”

Nixon was not in the legislature at the time.

Cooper said he found Nixon's absence unusual given the situation's seriousness. But, he said, he had corresponded with Nixon and accepted the reason for Nixon not being there as “significant, serious and reasonable.”

Cooper said based on the withdrawal statement, he considered the matter concluded.

Loewen said he, too, accepted the statement, but suggested more should have been done given the seriousness of the offence.

“It is a little disappointing,” he said. “Jason Nixon wasn't there himself to withdraw the comments. I was disappointed there was no apology and I believe, even with that, there should have been some consequences for that kind of performance in the legislature.”

The issue stems from an exchange between Nixon and Loewen in the legislature March 31.

Loewen was introducing documents for the legislature record and, while doing so, publicly accused Nixon of making false statements about him.

That caused Nixon to shout back and, when Cooper intervened, Nixon shouted at him: “Mr. Speaker, the guy just called me a f---ing liar in the middle of the damn legislature.”

That brought Cooper to his feet to loudly rebuke Nixon, who apologized for the profane outburst.